The Story of The Pierogi Joint, Home of the European Dumpling, Christchurch, New Zealand

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The Story of The Pierogi Joint...

Hello my name is Kate and I love pierogi's. Pronounced 'pier-row-gee'. Growing up in Canada, marrying a New Zealander, and moving to Christchurch has been an eye opening experience...because I could not buy my favorite little dumpling anywhere. Hence, the beginning of The Pierogi Joint, home of the European Dumpling.

So, what is a Pierogi? Where did it come from?

A polish dumpling of unleavened dough – first boiled, then baked or fried usually in butter with onions – traditionally stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit. Our twist on the pierogi will introduce more modern flavors with imaginative tasty themes.

Of central and eastern European provenance, they are usually semicircular and each unique as they are handmade.

The word pierogi has many different variations: perogi, pyrogy, perogie, perogy, pirohi, piroghi, pirogi, pirogen, pierogy, pirohy, pyrogie, and pyrohy which demonstrate the range and popularity of the dumpling throughout Europe.

As a child in Canada the pierogi was sold at every grocery store and was a dinner time favorite and staple within the household. I would like to introduce Christchurch and New Zealand to this scrumptious dish by market, catering, and website.

Our Menu consists of both savory and sweet delights.

The starting point of each savory pierogi is the Agria potato mashed into a smooth texture before adding key ingredients that define the various dumplings below.

All dumplings are served to the customers with their choice of sour cream, tomato sauce, or sweet chili.

V= Vegetarian, C= Carnivore, Spicy *****

GF = Gluten Free. Upon request we can make an order GF for the following weeks market.

Vegan can be made upon request for order.

The Savory Pierogi Menu

The Original Babushka- (V)

 Streaky bacon, tasty cheese, sautéed onions.

The Spanako Pierogi- (V)

Feta, fresh spinach, crushed garlic, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, LSA (linseed, almond, sunflower seeds.)

The Jumping Mexican- Spicy ** (V) or add mince (C)

Corn, cheddar, black or kidney bean, crushed tomatoes (salsa), lime/lemon juice, red bell peppers, sauteed onions, cilantro, Spanish olives, Mexican spice and seasoning.

The Cheese Burger- (C)

Mince, sweet tomato relish, sautéed onions, tasty cheese, crushed tomatoes (salsa blend), cayenne pepper.

The 3 Cheese Delight- (V)

3 Cheese Blend mixed with mashed potatoes.

The Sweet Pierogi Menu

The Chocolate Pierogi-  (Available GF)

This dumpling is served in a coconut dough and stuffed with 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, diced peaches, orange & grapefruit marmalade, crushed almonds, rum flavoring, caramel syrup. To finish it is drizzled in caramel syrup and garnished with toasted almond slices.

The Menu is growing and so is our creativity factor! The goal of our weekly market visits is to discover the customers favorites and slowly introduce new items to pair with them; while the pierogi remains a weekly constant.  Sauerkraut, blintzes, and beet borsht would work nicely as a special and work with the European theme. We hope to keep our customers taste buds guessing on what delightful item we might have on offer the following week. Thus far the Original Babushka Pierogi is the favorite, followed by the Spanako pierogi. The Pierogi Joint is all about community, family, and comfort in food.

Price List-  (may change slightly)

At the markets we look at two key factors: Gourmet Items sold at market level pricing.

Our price list has been as follows:

Savory

3 for $5

7 for $10

10 for $10, Take Away Bags to fry, bake or freeze at home.

Sweet

2 for $4

3 for $5

10 for $15

Commercial Kitchen-

We are currently renting out space in a commercial kitchen at 456 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch,  also known as LMO Foods Ltd./ The Sausage Sisters.

Packaging-

We strongly believe that a business that cares about it's environmental footprint has a better overall result leading to success. When possible we use environmentally friendly packaging. Our biodegradable serving dishes, cutlery, and recycled napkins are ways which we can contribute.